Reports: INF Wilmer Flores agrees to deal with Diamondbacks
Jan 16, 2019, 1:57 PM | Updated: 4:07 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks' A.J. Pollock (11) slides past New York Mets Wilmer Flores to third base on a RBI single by J.D. Martinez of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Free agent infielder Wilmer Flores has agreed to a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks pending a physical, reports ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Flores’ deal will guarantee him $4.25 million — $500,000 of which is covered if he’s bought out — and has a team option for $6 million in 2020, according to Passan.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal confirmed that an agreement between Flores and the team is in place.
The 27-year-old Flores played for the New York Mets last season, batting .267 with a career-high 25 doubles to go with 11 home runs, 51 RBI, 29 walks and 42 strikeouts.
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Arizona’s trade to acquire INF/OF Tim Locastro for lefty pitching prospect Ronald Roman on Wednesday pushed the D-backs’ roster to 40 players, requiring them to make a move before officially adding Flores.
Flores played as a first baseman in 82 of his 126 games in 2018, making him a candidate to replace first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who Arizona traded to the St. Louis Cardinals this offseason.
The right-handed Flores also played 12 games at second base, 10 games at third and two as a designated hitter for the Mets last season.
While he could earn some time at first, Flores’ versatility could also give the D-backs options across the board. Arizona has depth at third base with both Eduardo Escobar and Jake Lamb expected to earn playing time there, and Lamb is a candidate to also slide to first.
Flores thrived against left-handed pitchers from 2015-17, hitting better than .290 over those three seasons prior to hitting .237 against lefties last season. If he returns to his past form, he could complement the left-handed Lamb in a platoon, as Lamb has struggled against lefty pitchers over the course of his career.
There have also been discussions of second baseman Ketel Marte moving to center field, manager Torey Lovullo told The Athletic, which would open up a spot in the middle infield.
Flores was non-tendered by the Mets in his final arbitration-eligible offseason of his career.
